Ignition device



J. A. LANNERT. IG IIIION DEVICE. APPLICATION HLED AUG.9.I'920.

' Patented May 10,1921

IIIIII! I JOHN A. LANNERT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

' IGNITION :onvron.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 1 0, 1921.

Application filed August 9, 1920. Serial No. 402,344.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. LANNERT, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ignition'Devices, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other invent-ions.

The present invention relates to devices for automobile ignition systems and more particularly to a spark intensifier and sight gap device suitable for attaching to ignition coils whereby the spark of each coil is made 1 visible so that ignition troubles can be more readily located.

The device acts also as an intensifier furnishing a hotter better spark to the motor thus increasing the efficiency thereof. The present device is constructed so as to be readily attachable to standard types of ignition coils, particularly those coils of the type used on Ford automobiles in which thereris an individual coil for each cylinder. To the accomplishment of the foregoing andrelated ends, said invention,

then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of. the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the device in conjunction with an ignition system; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device; Fig. 3 a rear elevation of the same; Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on the lines 4--4 and 5-:') respectively of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6 is a pcrspcctive view of one of the spark gap plates.

The present device consists essentially of a plate or bar 1 of suitable insulating material Which is adapted to be placed over the connecting posts of the coil box. As shown, the device is arranged for a four coil box such as are used in Ford-engines. The plate has a plurality of spacedapertures 3 adapted to fit over and be secured to the connecting posts of the coils. ()n the back of the plate are a series of apertured brass connections 4, the apertures 5 being a'lined with the apertures 3, these connections being adapted to have electrical contact with the connecting posts 2. Each connection issecured to 'the plate by a pin Gwhichpasses through the base and extends slightly above the front face thereof to form one pole for the spark P- Mounted on the front face of the base are a series of spark gapplates 10, each plate having small central aperture or gap 11, through which the extending ends of the pins 6 extend. These spark gap plates are so cured to the base by means of a screw 12 which passes through the base and plate and a nut 13. The other end of the plate is secured in place by a small screw 14 passing through an aperture and bein received in a threaded hole in'the base. (Tver the spark gap plate is mounted a similarly shaped and apertured cover platelf), the cover plate havmg the central aperture 16. Between the two plates and over the aperture 11 is mounted a .thin sheet of mica or other transparent insulating material which protects the gap from dirt and also acts as a sight glass for the spark. The screws 12 and 14 which secure the spark gap plate to the base also hold the cover plate in place and the large screw 12 and nut 13 act as the binding posts for the lead wires 20 to the spark plugs 21.

The mica sheets are held in place by the cover plates, the pins extending substantially to a contact therewith and thus having an annular gap which can not be increased.

This is an important feature as the maximum gap is determined by the size of the aperture 11. Any accidental movement of the plate or pin relative to each other merely brings The alined apertures in the two plates make a sight chamber the portion thereof below the transparent sheet being closed to dirt or other material which might bridge the annular spark gap and it also closes such gap to water and keeps thespark in aclosed chamber eliminating the liability of igniting gasolene or other combustible vapor which may be near. At the same time the harmful effect of pitting either surface, between which the spark passes, is eliminated since the shortest path will of course .be between the clean portion of such surover a four coil unit having the usual stand ard connecting parts but it will be evident that the arrangement can easily be varied to suit difierent types of coils.-

In operation it acts as a gap intensifier V as well as a visible means of determining spark conditions from each unit of the coil so that ignition trouble may be veasily located or at least, eliminating certain factors. If the car will not start but the gaps show that a spark is reaching the plu s,-

it would indicate other than ignition troub e While a lack of spark at one or more gaps would indicate either faulty plugs or poor coil adjustment. The device is easy and simple to install and remove and the connections remain the same, it being only necessary to detach the usual connections leading to the spark plugs and replace with the bar, the connection being then made to the poslts on the bar or base instead. of to the 001 s.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made asregards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by' any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a device of the character described, the-combination of a base provided with a series of spaced apertures adapted to fit over the connection posts of a coil lJOX,-'COIlnections mounted on the rear of said base and adapted to contact with the connect- 111g posts, said connections having pins extending throughsaid base, and spark gap plates mounted on the front of said base and having apertures adapted to receive said pins to form the gap.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a base of insulating material provided with a series of spaced apertures adapted to be fitted over the connecting posts of a coil box the rear of said base having a series of connections adapted to contact said posts, said connections having pins extending through said base, spark gap plates mounted on the frontpof said base and having apertures adapted to re- 'ceive said pins to form the spark gaps, and

cover plates adapted to, inclose said spark gaps to form a closed sight chamber therefor. v

3. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a-base of insulating material provided with a series of spaced apertures adapted to be fitted over the connecting an aperture adapted to receive one of said pins centrally to form an annular spark gap, cover plates for said sparkgap plates having apertures alined with those in said spark gap plates, and transparent sheets mounted between said two plates and adapted to inclose such spark gaps and form a sight chamber therefor.

4;. 'In a device of the character described,- 7

the combination of a base of insulating ma.-

terial provided with a series of spaced aperv tures adapted to be fitted over the connecting posts of a coil box, the rear of said base having a series of connections having apertures alined with those in said base, said connections being adapted to contact said posts, and having pins extending through said base, spark gap plates having apertures, mounted on the front of said base,

such apertures being adapted to receive said pins centrally to form annular spark gaps of predetermined maximum length, cover plates for said spark gap plates and having similarly spaced apertures, transparent sheets mounted between said two plates to form a closed spark gap and sightjchambe'r, and means for securing said two plates to said base, one of said means being adapted to be used as the binding posts for the spark plugconnections.

Signed "by me this 4th day of August, 1920.

JOHN A. LANNERT. 

